The Gujarat Health & Family Welfare Department has released new guidelines to simplify corrections in birth and death records. The advisory, issued by the Chief Registrar (Birth–Death) on November 26, 2025, aims to make the process easier for divorced parents, single parents and applicants seeking changes in surnames or name formats.
Key points of the new rules
- For children of divorced parents
If custody is granted to the mother, the child’s name can follow this format:
Child’s Name + Mother’s Name + Mother’s Surname. - Father’s name cannot be removed
The biological father’s name must remain in its designated field. - When both parents live together
Parents may choose to add the mother’s name and surname after the child’s name instead of the father’s, provided the father’s name stays in the official column. - Middle name and surname optional
Applicants may remove the middle name (usually the father’s name) and the surname. A certificate can contain only the child’s first name if requested. - Flexible name order
Formats like Surname + Child’s Name + Father’s Name are now permitted. - Different surnames allowed
A child may legally have a surname different from the father’s. - Multiple corrections permitted
Unlike the earlier rule allowing corrections only once, multiple changes can now be made with valid documents. - Death certificate changes
Adding the father’s or husband’s name and surname after the deceased’s name is now optional.
Implementation
All district registrars, municipal corporations and municipalities have been directed to immediately enforce these updated rules and ensure smooth processing of applications.